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Ross Barkley: "I have a lot to learn"

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley says that he is "growing up" as a result of the additional attention being put on him by opposition teams.

Ross Barkley has insisted that the competition he faces to keep hold of his spot in Everton's starting lineup will only inspire him to "work harder".

The 20-year-old midfielder was warned by teammate Phil Jagielka earlier this week that he will face extra attention after becoming a Premier League regular.

However, Barkley believes that he can deal with the additional pressure as he continues his recovery from a knee injury which saw him miss the first two months of the campaign.

"It is hard when teams target me but I know I have a lot to learn," the England international is quoted as saying by ESPN. "The more I play, the more I learn how to deal with things like that.

"It's just about growing up and knowing that teams are going to put pressure on me. It is flattering in a way if teams have to put two men on me.

"I have got a job on my hands but it's great to have competition in the squad. It's competition for me but that's only going to push me to work harder to get in the team."

Everton are currently ninth in the Premier League table following Saturday's goalless draw against Swansea City.

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Everton's Ross Barkley celebrates after scoring the opening goal against QPR during their FA Cup third round match on January 4, 2013
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3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle21115537221538
5Chelsea21107441261537
6Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
7Aston Villa2110563132-135
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9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2171043229331
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12Manchester UnitedMan Utd217592629-326
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham217592741-1426
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17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2144133148-1716
18Ipswich TownIpswich2137112037-1716
19Leicester CityLeicester2135132346-2314
20Southampton2113171347-346


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